Milk drinking by the lactose intolerant. Comparison of Caucasian and Oriental adults
Nandi, N.A.; Parham, E.S.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 61(3): 258-261
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 5068339 Document Number: 51809
The correlation of lactose intolerance with past and current milk consumption was studied in 20 Oriental and 20 Caucasian students who reported their responses to consumption of 50 g lactose and 50 g glucose given a week apart. All completed a questionnaire as to their habits of milk consumption currently, as children, and as adolescents. The Oriental students consumed less milk at all ages than the Caucasians, though most of the Orientals reported greater consumption since arriving in USA; 55% were currently drinking milk at least once a day. The Orientals were significantly more intolerant of the test dose of lactose. There was a high negative correlation between lactose tolerance in adult Orientals and their milk consumption during childhood. There was no correlation between milk consumption as adults and lactose intolerance, suggesting that lactose-intolerant persons can comfortably consume milk in limited amounts.